One wants to believe that the current criminal regime will not descend into the absurdity of persecuting supporters of Old Believer traditions and religious practices. Who could have imagined ten years ago that anti-corruption activism, non-heterosexual relationships, and—above all—the desire for peace would be labeled crimes in Russia, even framed as “terrorism”? Especially given how closely the Russian Orthodox Church has fused with the authorities. As bitter as it is to admit, it is not impossible that tomorrow—or soon after—so-called “pagans” will also come under attack, alongside those who speak about corruption, about peace, and about the right to be loved according to standards close to one’s heart rather than dictated by the state. Judging by this news, that kind of absurdity is not far away:

In the Moscow region, riot police were brought into a forest and, for the first time in 40 years, Maslenitsa was broken up.

The traditional folk festival in the Istra District of the Moscow Region—“Bakshevskaya Maslenitsa”—had been held continuously for 40 years, but this time it was stopped. Authorities refused to approve the event, and riot police (OMON) were deployed to the forest clearing where people in traditional costumes had gathered to burn an effigy and dance in circles, sealing off the area.

Those detained were taken away in police vans.

The day before, the Istra administration justified the ban by citing a lack of “access roads for emergency services.” When it came time to disperse people, the roads somehow appeared immediately. Organizers emphasized there was a strict ban on alcohol and political slogans—families with children attended; there was no politics.

Blogger Alexander Khramov, who planned to go, wrote: (https://t.me/khramov_alexander/603) “OMON in a forest outside Moscow is rounding up people in Russian folk costumes because they want to celebrate Maslenitsa. It’s surreal. Absurd. Shameful.”